The Open Church Doors Project
Earlier this month, I initiated a new project for Lent. It started on a day when I did a simple Google image search for ‘Open Church Doors.’ Those words ended up in the search engine because I wanted to place an image at the end of a post I was writing about Nones and Dones. I was encouraging church members to go outward and meet the neighbors that surround their buildings.
When the search results emerged, I discovered many images that were beautiful, revealing doors swung open to convey a sense of welcome. But I was also intrigued to notice that the majority of the photos were taken from the perspective of facing inward! Nearly all of them were looking toward the Church itself.
I wrote about this phenomenon earlier this month, and that launched a new project. Church communities were invited to take images of their open church doors, but this time, swung open from the perspective of facing their neighborhoods. They were encouraged to add prayers for their neighbors as well.
Here are the images and prayers from the churches who participated. May they inspire you and your congregations as you think about your own neighborhood connections.
St. Edwards Episcopal Church in Silverton, Oregon opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood.
Scots Kirk in Lausanne, Switzerland opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood.
Pres House at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood.
Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood.
Stockbridge Church in Edinburgh, Scotland opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “Holy Spirit – God of the harvest- send us out into ancient streets speaking of your name and fame – in fresh ways to new faces. May they behold us – but see only you! Amen.”
First Presbyterian Church in South Lyon, Michigan opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “Lead us, Shepherding God, that we may follow.”
Oronoco Presbyterian Church in Oronoco, Minnesota opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “God, help this community continue to grow in numbers, in strength, & in compassion for each other.”
Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church in Lincoln Park, Michigan opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “May the love of God be known in this community.”
The Rincón Chapel in Rincón, Puerto Rico opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “May God’s purpose to be fulfilled through a diverse people in an ever-changing setting.”
Christ Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “For this corner of the kingdom in Huntsville, AL, we pray.”
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn, New York opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “May we go out from these doors as the hands, feet, and faces of Christ in Auburn, NY.”
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “We pray that this church may continue to know and care for God’s children near and far.”
Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springboro, Ohio opens its doors and connects with its community, praying, “God, give us strength to leave our comfort zone and step out in courage to love and serve our community.”
First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, North Carolina opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “God of waterfalls and river gorges, of small town friendships and tourist delights, breathe your Spirit into our living and loving and serving, that all who know this place will know the depth of your love.”
First Presbyterian Church of Safety Harbor, Florida opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “O God our Father, as we depart to serve, may Your light shine and awaken us to serve the community of Safety Harbor.”
First Presbyterian Church of Apopka, Florida opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “Gracious Lord, you have opened doors around the world, give us open hearts and arms for the children and families who see our fences and locks, and then wonder if we really can love people who look and talk and live so differently.”
Altoona Christian Church opens its doors and connects with its neighborhood, praying, “What used to be corn fields are now buildings and houses, filled with neighbors and opportunities to share and love. Bless all of these new neighbors that they might find home, welcome, and safety. Amen.”
How will you love and support your neighborhood?
Let’s open these doors outward.
Smuggling Grace 